Masonry block laying tool



April 1, 1958 G. C. DOESCHER MASONRY BLOCK LAYING TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 30, 1953 George C. Doescher )Zwmzqjdumm 0mm April 1, 1958 G. c. DOESCHER 2,828,618

MASONRY BLOCK LAYING TQOL Filed Dec. 30, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVNTOR.

Geo/"9e C 00650 er- United States Patent MASONRY BLOCK LAYING TOOL George C. Doescher, Lake Charles, La.

Application December 30, 1953, Serial No. 401,215

1 Claim. (Cl. 72-129) This invention relates to an improved tool for laying masonry blocks.

An object of the invention is to provide a tool of this kind which enables masonry blocks to be lifted into place and positioned properly more easily with respect to adjoining blocks in a wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for laying masonry blocks which may be easily and cleanly disengaged from a masonry block with which it has been used, after the block has been laid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for laying masonry blocks which produces a smooth troweled-' like finish upon the edge of the mortar between a block with which it is used and the blocks immediately therebeneath.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description considered in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan view of the tool of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the tool of the present invention in engagement with a masonry block.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the assembly of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3, on an enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the tool of the present invention in disengaged position.

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of an alternative form of the' present invention in engagement with a masonry block which is in "place in a masonry wall.

Figure 7 is a side elevationalview of the forin of the invention shown in Figure 6, with a portion broken away.

Figure 8 is an end elevational view of.the form of the invention shown in Figures 6 and..7, in the disengaged pdsition.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 1 designates a pair of upstanding leg members, arranged in spaced relation and connected together, intermediate the ends thereof, for movement toward and away from each other. A portion 2, adjacent the lower end of each of the leg members 1, is bent at an angle with respect to the adjacent leg member 1 and at least two lugs 3 project perpendicularly from the angular portion 2 of each leg member 1.

Specifically in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, the leg members 1 are connected together through an upstanding frame including spaced uprights 4 connected together by cross pieces 5 and 6. The uprights 4- consist of channel bars arranged with the open sides outward. The cross pieces 5 and 6 consist of channel bar sections 7 and 8 extending perpendicularly from the inner faces of the uprights 4 and channel bars 9 and 10 of smaller dimension fitting conformably within the channels of the bar sections 7 and 8. The bar 9 is fastened to the bar section 7 and the bar 10 is fastened to the bar section 8 by means of bolts 11. The bars 9 and 10 are provided with longitudinal slots 12 to receive the bolts 11 and thus the sections 7 may be moved toward or away from each other upon the bar 9 and the sections 8 may be moved toward and away from each other upon the bar 10, within a limited range, to adjust the space between the uprights 4 to variations in width between different types of masonry blocks.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, one of the leg members 1 extends along each upright 4 in the outwardly opening channel thereof and is connected intermediate its ends to the upright 4, by means of a pin 13, for rocking movement toward and away from the upright 4. The leg members 1 are of channel bar shape and are arranged along the uprights 4 with the open channel facinginwardly. The pins 13 are inserted through registering openings in the adjacent flanges of the members 1 and the uprights 4 and are enlarged at their ends to prevent displacement. The portion 2 adjacent the lower end of each of the leg members 1 is bent outwardly. The lower end of the portion 2 extends below the lower end of the upright 4 and is provided with a cross portion 14. A lug 3 projects perpendicularly from the inner face of each end of the cross portion 14.

Also inthe form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5; inclusive, a pair of linkbars 15 arranged in endto-end overlapping relation are positioned adjacent the upper ends of the leg members 1 and are pivotally connected at the overlapping ends upon pins 16. The other end ofeach of the bars 15 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the adjacent leg member 1 by means. of pins 17. The bars 15 are of channel bar shape and have registering apertures in their overlapping flanges. through which the pins 16 are inserted and then enlarged at their ends to prevent displacement. The bars 15 are similarly connected to the leg member 1. An eye 24 is. carried on the upper surface of the overlapping end of the outer of the bars 15, and serves as a grip for moving. the overlapping ends of the bars 15 toward and away from the cross piece 6.

The form of the invention shown in. Figures 1 to 5, inelusive, includes, in addition to the parts hereinbefore described, a plate 18 positioned in side-by-side relation with respect to each upright 4 and fixedly secured thereto' The lower end of each of the plates 18 extends below the lower end of the adjacent upright 4 and is provided with. spaced apertures 19 for the reception of the lugs 3. The lower edge. of the, plates 18am bent outwardly, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, to facilitate. the reception of a masonry block between, the plates. The ,upper ends of the plates 18 are flanged inwardly, as also shown in Figures 3 and 5, and the flanges 20 are fixedly secured to the lower faces of the sections 7. A lug 21 projects vertically downward from the lower surface of each flange 20 adjacent one of the complemental ends thereof.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 6 to 8, inclusive, the leg members 1 are of channel bar construction and are of inverted U-shape, as shown in Figure 7. The members 1 are connected together by link means interposed between the members 1 adjacent the upper ends thereof and connecting the members 1 together for movement toward and away from each other. The link means consists of projecting portions 22 which extend from the facing sides of each leg of the leg members 1 and overlap at their adjacent ends where they are pivoted upon a pivot pin 23 which extends through registering apertures in the overlapping ends of the projections 22 and is enlarged at its ends to prevent displacement.

In this latter form of the invention, the portions 2 are bent at an angle inwardly with respect to the adjacent Patented Apr. 1, 1958.

leg member 1 and the lugs 3 project perpendicularly from the outer face of each portion 2 of each leg member 1.

As is apparent from the foregoing the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive is adapted to embrace the exterior of a masonry block whereas the form shown in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive is operative through one of the apertures commonly provided in such blocks. When the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive is to be used, it is first put in a disengaged position, as shown in Figure 5, by raising the overlapping portions of the link bars away from the cross piece 6 by means of the eye 24, thus bringing the lower portions 2 of the leg members 1 outward at an angle from the uprights 4. In this position the tool is slipped down over the block to be laid, with the plates 18 in engagement with the sides of the block, until the flanges 20 rest upon the top of the block, with the lugs 21 projecting over and abutting one end thereof and the lugs 3 adjacent the bottom edge of the block. The operator then moves the link bars 15 downward adjacent the cross piece 6 and holds them in that position by gripping the bar and the cross pieces in one hand. The movement of the bars brings the lower portions 2 inwardly so that the lugs 3 project through the apertures 19 in the plates 18 and engage the bottom edges of the block B holding the block securely within the plates 18, as shown in Figure 3. The block B may now be lifted by means of the tool and placed in position in a wall as shown in Figures 2 and 3, after mortar has been spread on the supporting and adjoining blocks. When so placed in position, the lugs 3 hold the block B at the proper distance from the blocks below it until the mortar has hardened sufiiciently to support the block B. Similarly the lugs 21 keep the block B at the appropriate distance from the abutting block in the same course until the mortar between the blocks has hardened sufiEiciently. The portions of the plates 18 extending below the block B serve to line the block B up with the blocks immediately below it in the wall. They also serve to prevent the escape of mortar from beneath the block B and to impart a smooth surface to the edge of the mortar. When the mortar has hardened sufiiciently to hold the block in place, the bars 15 are raised by means of the eye 24, causing the lower portions 2 to hinge outwardly carrying the lugs 3 out of engagement with the under side of the block. The tool may then be raised vertically from the block, leaving the block positioned properly in the wall. The upward movement of the plates 18 against the edges of the border beneath the block, smoothes out any remaining uneveness in the edge of the mortar and gives it a troweled-like finish.

The alternative form of the invention shown in Figures 6 to 8, inclusive, is inserted, in the position shown in Figure 8, into an aperture A in the block 3' to be laid.

4 The operator then grasps the bight of the inverted U shaped leg members 1 in one hand bringing them together and moving the lower portions 2 of the leg members 1 apart until the lugs 3 engage the bottom of the block at the edge of the aperture A, as shown in Figure 6. The block may then be lifted into place upon the wall where, as in the case of the form of the invention described above, the lugs 3 hold the block in proper spaced relation with respect to the underlying blocks until the mortar dries sufiiciently to hold the block alone. At

such time, the bights of the leg members 1 are separated,

moving the tool again into the position shown in Figure 8 and bringing the lugs 3 out of engagement with the block B. The tool may then be removed from the aperture A leaving the block B laid in proper position in the wall.

What is claimed is:

In a masonry block laying tool, a frame comprising a pair of laterally spaced uprights, connecting means extending between the uprights and maintaining the uprights in fixed parallel relation, said means comprising slidably engaged elements providing for sliding adjust-' ment of the uprights toward and away from each other, said uprights having laterally inward and outward sides and upper and lower ends, longitudinally elongated vertical plates fixed to the laterally inward sides of the uprights below said connecting means, said plates having lower edge portions extending below the lower ends of the uprights, upright legs pivoted intermediate their ends on and extending along the laterally outward sides of the uprights, said legs having lower end portions depending below the lower ends of the uprights, pins on the I lower end portions of the legs projecting laterally inwardly toward the lower edge portions of the plates, said lower edge portions of the plates having holes through which the pins can project when the lower portions of the legs are pivoted toward the lower edge portions of the plates, said legs having upper portions above their pivotal points which are angulated upwardly and laterally outwardly relative to the lower end portions of the legs and arranged to engage said uprights only in outwardly pivoted positions of the lower leg portions, said legs having upper ends, and contracting link means extending between and operatively connected to the upper ends of the legs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,573,263 Madden Feb. 16, 1926 2,639,608 Kirschmann May 26, 1953 2,648,974 Sommers Aug. 18, 1953 2,652,715 Looze Sept. 22, 1953 2,663,182 Sommers Dec. 22, 1953 

